What Time is the Grand National?

The Grand National. An iconic steeplechase that's been thrilling us annually since 1839, bar the odd essential break to repel most unwelcome, would-be boarders. The great race is renowned the world over and if the Melbourne Gold Cup is said to stop a nation, the Grand National makes the sporting universe stand to attention and marvel at the sheer spectacle.

Oh, and in answer to the question What time is the Grand National - it's 16:00, that's 4pm in old money, on Saturday, April 13. Let's have a closer look at what's in store for us from the sporting hotbed that is Liverpool.

Saturday is the culmination of a three-day celebration. A festival of top-class National Hunt racing in the north west of England. Many horses come here fresh from trying their luck at the Cheltenham Festival in March. Some raid from Ireland. Others arrive here having had their chosen contest as a specific target, perhaps for the entire season.

The course is pretty unique. There are conventional chase and hurdle tracks for the majority of the races - flat terrain, with tight turns, often suiting handy, speedy types. Then there are the National fences - used in the big race of course, but parts of which are also employed in a few selected extras during the three days. Most of the National takes place in its own acreage with legendary obstacles like Becher's Brook, Valentines and the Canal Turn.

However, tackling the Chair and the Water Jump, along with the final, history-making run to the winning post, take place in front of the grandstands adjacent to the conventional track.

Prize money is appropriate for the calibre of horses engaged. Competition is white-hot. And at the centre of it all at 16:00 on Saturday, is the Randox Grand National.

Here's the magnificent menu for Saturday.

13:20 William Hill Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) Cl1 (4yo+) 3m ½f ITV
13:55 Turners Mersey Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) (GBB Race) Cl1 (4yo+) 2m 4f ITV
14:30 William Hill Handicap Chase (Registered As The Freebooter Handicap Chase) (Premier Handicap) (GBB) Cl1 (5yo+) 3m 1f ITV
15:05 JRL Group Liverpool Hurdle (Grade 1) (GBB Race) Cl1 (4yo+) 3m ½f ITV
16:00 Randox Grand National Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) Cl1 (7yo+) 4m 2½f ITV
17:00 My Pension Expert Maghull Novices' Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race) Cl1 (5yo+) 2m
17:35 Weatherbys nhstallions.co.uk Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race (Grade 2) (GBB Race) Cl1 (4-6yo) 2m 1f

A lovely blend - top novices over hurdles and fences; more experienced and seasoned operators over both; and a National Hunt flat race, the 'bumper,' which could contain a star or three of the future.

Nigel Twiston Davies' The New One was a notable former winner of the bumper, and he went on to grace our sport over many seasons in some of the very best hurdle races of his era.

I've been lucky enough to attend on many occasions. I must admit I enjoy the Thursday and Friday fare too, as much as anything; and the atmosphere is brilliant throughout. The city of Liverpool embraces the festival, and hosts a huge party. If you've got an invite, lucky you. If not, enjoy what's sure to be a magnificent spectacle in front of a TV screen of your choice.

Enjoy, good luck, and if you're wondering (of course you are) where my few quid each-way is headed, I'm going for VANILLIER, which as I write is around a 9/1 chance. He was runner-up last year to Corach Rambler, and might just be ready to go one better.

Prices can and will fluctuate between now and flag fall, so always check for the very latest big-race odds right here.

Grand National betting tips from Betfred Insights.